Jon Jones suspended, stripped of light heavyweight title by UFC

His pattern of behavior outside of it has now cost him his title.

UFC president Dana White appeared on Fox Sports 1 on Tuesday night to announce that Jones would be suspended indefinitely from the organization and stripped of the light heavyweight belt.

Jones was supposed to fight Anthony Johnson in the main event of UFC 187 on May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden. Johnson instead will face Daniel Cormier for the vacant title on the card.

“He wasn’t happy. He was upset,” White said of Jones’ reaction to the news. ““He should focus on his pending legal matters.”

Jones was in an Albuquerque, N.M., courtroom on Tuesday to hear the charges against him related to a hit-and-run accident Sunday morning that broke the arm and wrist of a 25-year-old pregnant woman in another vehicle.

Jones, 27, fled the scene and didn’t surrender to authorities until Monday night. He was not required to enter a plea Tuesday.

Judge Maria Dominguez allowed Jones to remain free on the $2,500 bail he posted Monday night and declined to impose travel restrictions, leaving open the possibility that Jones could defend his title against Johnson.

But UFC officials, including White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, flew to Albuquerque after the court appearance to talk with Jones, then announced their decision upon returning to Las Vegas.

“As a result of the charge and other violations of the Athlete Code of Conduct Policy, the organization believes it is best to allow Jones time to focus on his pending legal matters,” a statement from the UFC read. “UFC feels strongly that its athletes must uphold certain standards both in and out of the octagon. While there is disappointment in the recent charges, the organization remains supportive of Jones as he works through the legal process.”

Jones refused to speak with reporters upon his release from police custody Monday night and again after the hearing on Tuesday.

He broke his silence late Tuesday on Twitter.

“Got a lot of soul searching to do,” he posted. “Sorry to everyone I’ve let down.”

Jones had held the belt since 2011, successfully defending it eight times. The incident Sunday, in which a pipe containing marijuana was found at the scene, is part of a growing list of controversial moments.

Jones pleaded guilty to driving under the influence after crashing his Bentley into a telephone pole in Binghamton, N.Y., in 2012. He was fined $1,000 and had his license suspended for six months.

He tested positive for cocaine in December 2014 when a test for the drug was mistakenly conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Cocaine is not banned under the World Anti-Doping Agency code for athletes who are not in competition, so he avoided punishment from the NAC and was allowed to fight in January.

Jones was fined $25,000 by the UFC for violating the organization’s code of conduct. He entered a rehabilitation facility, though he reportedly left after one night.

He also was involved in a brawl with Cormier in August in the lobby of the MGM as the two were promoting their January title fight, resulting in an injury to a UFC employee.

Cormier also appeared on Fox Sports 1 to discuss the opportunity to fight for the belt again, though not under ideal circumstances.

“It was disappointing,” Cormier said of Jones’ arrest. “All the stuff Jon gets in to is disappointing. He has the world at his fingertips and he can’t get out of his own way.”

Cormier, a two-time Olympic wrestler, offered Jones some advice.

“Just get it together,” he said. “A lot of people look up to you and a lot people who want to see him succeed. I’ll be waiting on the other side with my championship and he can challenge me for it.”

Johnson was more reserved in a posting on social media.

“Best of luck with everything bro,” he tweeted at Jones. “Regardless of everything you are still the greatest light heavyweight champion of all time!”

Cormier was scheduled to fight Ryan Bader in the main event of UFC Fight Night 68 in New Orleans on June 6. No new opponent has been named for Bader.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.